I was thinking about this the other day. With regular wear, say, even once or twice a week, my Clarks give out after about 2-3 years. At 100 a shot, I'm wondering if it's worth buying these again. On the other hand, Red Wing Heritage has some great looking chukkas, and I know those would be a much longer-lasting shoe, maybe even a lifetime shoe. More expensive initial at over $200, but worth it.

I have Red Wing Iron Rangers in "Amber Harness" and they're definitely well made. They look good even when they get dirty and they're easy to clean, and with proper care they can last for ages. I really love the work chukka in "Briar Oil Slick" but I got my Red Wings to withstand the horrible winters where I live, so I didn't want to get anything with a crepe sole that might get jaundiced by dirt and salt. My biggest issue with Clarks is that the suede is too hard to protect. My desert boots look like shit after a year and a half, but I'm feeling the Wallabees more lately anyway. Wu-Tang and Walter White convinced me that it's an ill vibe. Do you know of a good suede protector? I sprayed two coats of "Pedag" on my Wallabee boots but I'm not sure it works that well. The sand is my favourite colour but clearly the hardest to keep clean.

To me Clarks look good when they get roughed in a bit. I don't think of them as a dress shoe, although I do try to keep my chocolate brown ones nice looking. But I don't obsess over it. I just wear them and let what happens happen.

I think you are the only person I've heard say they run small. They are notorious for a fitting big.

For Desert boots i am having the problem of a somewhat loose heel, it is squeezing around my arch and then i have about a thumb between the tip of the boot and my big toe, are these too big? I would inclined to say yes at first but i had trouble getting them on with regular black athletic socks and would thing another half size down it would be impossible to get them on due to the middle being too tight

For Desert boots i am having the problem of a somewhat loose heel, it is squeezing around my arch and then i have about a thumb between the tip of the boot and my big toe, are these too big? I would inclined to say yes at first but i had trouble getting them on with regular black athletic socks and would thing another half size down it would be impossible to get them on due to the middle being too tight

I have the same issue, I could barely get my foot in at the beginning due to the instep. However now they're kinda lose and floppy all around. I did try a half size down at a store and i couldn't even get my feet into them. If i was to do it again, i would buy the half size down and try to stretch the instep out. You could try the same. A cobbler can do it, or there are many DIY options for stretching that you can google. The other option is to try an insert in the heel or an insole, mine fit a lot better with an insole.

^ You guys are doing it wrong. Clarks Desert Boots should fit comfortably from the get-go. There shouldn't be a painful break-in period and you definitely don't need to have a cobbler stretch them. If you can "barely get your foot" in, they are either too small or simply aren't compatible with your feet.

^ You guys are doing it wrong. Clarks Desert Boots should fit comfortably from the get-go. There shouldn't be a painful break-in period and you definitely don't need to have a cobbler stretch them. If you can "barely get your foot" in, they are either too small or simply aren't compatible with your feet.

It just doesn't make sense to me that these could ever be hard to slip on if you're anywhere near your correct size. They're made in a way that they virtually slip onto your feet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolve

^ You guys are doing it wrong. Clarks Desert Boots should fit comfortably from the get-go. There shouldn't be a painful break-in period and you definitely don't need to have a cobbler stretch them. If you can "barely get your foot" in, they are either too small or simply aren't compatible with your feet.

It just doesn't make sense to me that these could ever be hard to slip on if you're anywhere near your correct size. They're made in a way that they virtually slip onto your feet.

Just to clarify my boots are definitely not too small. I can fit my fingers in behind my heel when I push my foot forwards, and I have quite a lot of heel slip in them without insoles. It is a close-minded statement to say that "they're made in a way to virtually slip on." Everyones feet are different, just because that was your experience with them, it does make it an ultimatum. It has been mentioned multiple times in this thread that people have found them tight around the arch of their foot when new. Its not a big issue though, I have a fairly high instep on my feet and they were tight at first but were fine after a few days of wear. The beeswax leather stretches a lot.

Mine were actually uncomfortable at first until I broke them in. They're fine now, however. The heel is a bit loose but that's just the nature of the beast. Chukka boots without crepe soles have tighter heels so that might be a better option.

Just to clarify my boots are definitely not too small. I can fit my fingers in behind my heel when I push my foot forwards, and I have quite a lot of heel slip in them without insoles. It is a close-minded statement to say that "they're made in a way to virtually slip on." Everyones feet are different, just because that was your experience with them, it does make it an ultimatum. It has been mentioned multiple times in this thread that people have found them tight around the arch of their foot when new. Its not a big issue though, I have a fairly high instep on my feet and they were tight at first but were fine after a few days of wear. The beeswax leather stretches a lot.

OK. Tight around arches is one thing. I experience this too when they're new. Unable to get them on without a shoehorn because of tightness around the arches is quite another thing. They're just not made that way--there is huge room in the tongue and lace area to allow your foot to get in. It's not like a Red Wing boot tongue.

These shoes are not supposed to be that difficult. If you can't slip them on without tugging at them to get past the arch in your foot, there is a problem.

They can be weird. My beeswax 10's were just this side of snug - the heel rubbing and the fact that I haven't worn stiff leather shoes for YEARS made the first week less than comfortable, though. But there was some stretch and the leather softened right up and they were lovely after a week.

I figured the suede would be even gentler, so I ordered a pair of 10's online and they were TIGHT. But it's suede, so I stuck it out and they were fine after about a week. Completely different issues, though - the most forward part of the instep was almost painfully tight. Couldn't wait to get out of them after a day at work. Had to keep telling myself to be patient, it's suede, it can't possibly stay tight. Then it was "ok, you bastids, I'm gonna wear my biggest, thickest socks, how ya like THEM apples?!" and about day 4 I noticed they were perfect with no socks, and I knew I was out of the woods. I've tried on other suede DB's in 10 (I have 3 Clark's stores in driving distance) and I think I just got a weird pair. Long story short, that instep will stretch, at least in suede.

As a protector, I tried some Timberland Balm Proofer, and it did darken them slightly, and the spray nozzle's not the best, so it killed a little of that "suede mojo." But a week later when some mud splashed right across my toes (one of those bizarre things that had to have temporarily violated the laws of physics) and it wiped up without a trace it was worth it.